Patricia Veryan - [Sanguinet Saga 10] - Lanterns Read Online Free

carefully
rearranging 'Mrs. Hughes-Dering's' gown. "Ma'am—you seem to have some
knowledge of our trouble. If there is anything you can tell us—
anything
—we
shall be eternally in your debt."
    Sir Lionel said supportively, "Now, Emma. If you really do
know anything that will help Sir Gavin, you must tell him, my dear."
    Mrs. Cordova giggled, and murmured archly, "Such a handsome
man, Monica, do you not agree? Shall I help him? What is it you wish me
to tell you, sir? Is it about my radishes? Ah, lots of folk would like
to know how I grow such magnificent radishes. My late husband was very
fond of a radish now and then." Her face grew sad. "I heard you say you
had lost your wife. You have my sympathy. To lose the one you care for
is dreadful. Just dreadful."
    He gazed into her kind but vacant eyes, then glanced at Sir
Lionel, who gave a gesture of helplessness. Nodding resignedly, Sir
Gavin said, "I fear we have overstayed our welcome, sir. We shall leave
you in peace."
    Mrs. Cordova hurried out to alert the Covilles' coachman.
    Sir Gavin looked very sad as he said his farewells. In the
large and chilly entrance hall, he asked, "Warrington, do you think
your sister really has any knowledge of my wife?"
    "She might." Sir Lionel hesitated. "There's no way of telling.
Most of the time poor Emma is quite rational. She has the warmest
heart. A very good woman. Such a pity."
    Following, with Marietta beside him, Blake Coville said,
"Well, now you know our dark secrets, Miss Warrington. Shall you deny
me next time I call?"
    "As if I would! You have my sympathy, rather. I shall pray for
the safe return of your step-mama."
    They turned into the entrance hall. The two older men had
passed outside, and Blake took Marietta's hand and drew her to a halt.
"You are too good. Dare I impose on you to keep an eye on the manor
house and let us know if you see any sign of my step-brother?"
    "It would be our pleasure, sir. I only wish we could do more.
Or that I knew something that would help."
    "I do!" A small, muddy, and untidy figure darted at them from
behind the thick draperies that closed off the draughty hall in cold
weather. "I know
all
about it!" declared Arthur,
jumping up and down in his excitement. "I tried to tell Bridger, but he
wouldn't listen and said I was not to 'sturb you. Friar Tuck an' me—we
saw the villins drag the lady out from the Haunted Castle of the
Sheriff of Notting—"
    "Arthur, you rascal!" said Marietta, realizing belatedly that
she had neglected her small brother. "I thought you were in your room!
Have you but now come home?"
    "I bin home ages 'n ages. I hided in the curtains and heard
everything what you said, an'—"
    "Oh!" she gasped. "How dared you! Up to bed, young man! At
once!"
    Mrs. Cordova hurried to join them and took the boy by the
hand. "He is not to blame, Marietta. We are. Come, scamp! Oh, how dirty
you are! You must have had a lovely time. No, never mind spinning any
of your tall tales, it's wash and bed for you, my lad."
    "But I
did
see," he wailed. "An' I'm
hungry! I hasn't et for weeks, I 'spect!"
    Watching as he was led, protesting, away, Blake said in
amusement, "An active imagination, has he?"
    "Very active." Marietta held out her hand. "Good evening, Mr.
Coville. Truly, I am sorry for your trouble."
    Holding that small and not very well manicured hand in both
his own, he said, "I thank you. And—I am permitted to call again? You
will like to hear if—I mean
when
we find my
step-mama, no?"
    "Oh, yes indeed!"
    Still holding her hand, he said, "And if your aunt
should
remember something, anything at all, may I beg that you send word? We
stay with the Dales at Downsdale Park."
    Downsdale Park was probably the most palatial of the nearby
residences, and Lord and Lady Dale, extremely haughty, were said to
entertain nobody below the rank of baronet. 'How lowly our home must
seem to him,' thought Marietta. But she said, "Of course. We will
notify you at once."
    She tried to disengage her hand,